Mid West gas: The future of fracking in our region

Traditional gas extraction has occurred throughout the Mid West gas fields since the 1970s.

In more recent years however companies have been exploring local deposits of more unconventional gas types, like shale and tight gas.

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is a method of extracting these gas types from rock reservoirs using a combination of high pressured water, chemicals and sand.

After submitting mandatory proposals to the state government, several gas companies have undertaken fracking operations in the Mid West.

Phil Gorey is the Executive Director of the Department of Mines and Petroleum and expects that there will be more proposals with a number of exploration projects currently underway throughout the region.

He says that while the traditional method of fracking has been used around the world for over 60 years, the process being used currently in WA, a combination of fracking with horizontal drilling, is no older than a decade.

The emerging technique has caused debate Australia wide with reports that the chemicals used in the fracking process may contaminate ground water supplies.

Ron Ripple is a Professor of Energy Economics at Curtin University and says that while toxic chemicals are used, any contamination to water supplies is not a direct result of the fracking process.

"Any issues that happen with ground water come from faulty or improper completion of the well," he says.

In other words, as long as the drill site is constructed properly, "there will be no possibility of a transfer of either the methane that is being produced or any of the chemicals to ground water."

Both Mr Ripple and Mr Gorey say that enforced regulations are needed to ensure fracking is undertaken correctly and poses no risk to water, the environment and farming operations.

Bruce is a landowner in Badgingarra where a fracking operation is currently underway; he says that communities affected by gas exploration projects should protest until more research has been done.

"We've just been told [by the gas companies] that it's all going to be ok. I've been in touch with the relevant government authorities and when you actually nail them down about the depths to which they're going with this exploration, they don't really know what it's going to do," he says.

"The companies say they're going to get the information when they're actually doing the drilling, well to me that is a little bit too late."

Land owners have the right to refuse gas companies access to their land, however they are generally restricted to small properties or land surrounding residential areas.

In other areas, gas companies must develop a land access agreement with landowners which includes compensation for any damages that might occur.

Wendy Mills is a land and business owner in Eneabba and says that people have little protection when it comes to gas companies acquiring land.

"We have two local farmers at the moment who are under pressure to either sell to [the gas company] or to allow them access. They're expected to end up in court shortly or to allow them access because we have absolutely no protection," she says.

The ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt Mornings program spoke to land owners, government representatives, and researchers to gain a better understanding of gas exploration in our region.

A number of companies undertaking shale gas exploration throughout the region decline to comment